I smirked playfully as I looked up at Matthew. “How long have you been waiting at my door?” I teased.
His lips curled into a mischievous grin. “Long enough,” he replied, his voice light yet enigmatic.
When we left the hotel, I assumed we’d have dinner in the cozy, well-known lounge downstairs. But Matthew had other plans.
“Tonight, we dine at the crème de la crème of Manchester’s culinary scene,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Curiosity sparked inside me. The way he said it—like it was more than just dinner—made my heart beat a little faster.
The soft, melodic tunes of a live band welcomed us as we stepped into an upscale restaurant, the atmosphere dripping with sophistication. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the room, illuminating the well-dressed elites who swayed to
